Gulzar started his career as a lyricist with the hit song ‘Mera Gora Ang Lai Le’ in Bandini and went on to write many chartbusters like Tujhse naraaz nahin zindagi, Aanewala pal jaane wala hai, Tere bina zindagi se, Mera kuchh saamaan as well as the famous dance numbers like Kajra Re and Beedi Jalaile.

Gulzar has been very closely associated with music directors RD Burman, A. R. Rahman and Vishal Bhardwaj. He has also worked with the new age Bollywood music director Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.

The 79-year-old, who has also made films like Parichay, Koshish, and Kinara. will be the 45th recipient of the award.

Gulzar directed National Award winning films Mausam and Maachis.

Gulzar was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2004 for his contribution to the arts and the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2002. He has won a number of National Film Awards and 20 Filmfare Awards. At the 81st Academy Awards, he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Jai Ho” (shared with A.R.Rahman), for the film Slumdog Millionaire.